Where the Coffee’s Siphoned and Time Stands Still
👍
Time of visit: June 2025
Stepping into Marielle (マリエール) in Shinjuku, Tokyo, feels like hopping into a time machine set to the Showa era—if that time machine served coffee and curry. The place is packed with old manga, vintage knick-knacks, and charm to spare. It’s run by the sweetest elderly woman who moves slowly with a cane but still brews coffee like a pro, using a siphon no less.
I had the iced coffee and curry rice set for 1,100 yen—classic Japanese curry, bold and comforting. My partner had hot coffee (500 yen) and toast (a very fair 200 yen). The coffee was clean, rich, and clearly made with love. The toast was… toast—but for 200 yen, no complaints.
There’s even an English menu, which was a thoughtful surprise.
Marielle isn’t fancy, but it’s full of heart. Come for the coffee, stay for the nostalgia.
Marielle / マリエール – Review
Summary
A cozy, retro café packed with Showa-era charm and manga, run by a sweet elderly woman, serves solid coffee and classic Japanese curry. The siphon-brewed coffee is surprisingly good, and everything is reasonably priced. It’s a nostalgic, no-frills spot worth visiting for the atmosphere as much as the food.
Details of the Restaurant
Marielle / マリエール
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uqcW3XVFphuYo8S9A
〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 2 Chome−２番２１号 Lions Mansion Kabukichõ Building A, A棟 １階
Tokyo-based Japanese home cook and food writer, sharing easy, low-carb recipes featuring Japanese staples like shio koji. I also explore the city’s dining scene through honest restaurant reviews and food adventures. Learn more at sakurayubi.com/about.
